In the ten years since classical guitarists Thomas Flippin and Chris Mallett formed Duo Noire, they have become trailblazers.
“We want to show people that it’s okay to be black and be a classical musician,” Flippin said. “Even though it’s an interest that doesn’t fit the stereotype of what it is to be an African American.”
Flippin and Mallett, who were paired together as an ensemble by their former Yale professor Ben Verdery while completing their studies, became the first African Americans to graduate with degrees in guitar from Yale School of Music.
“It’s pretty cool,” Flippin said of the distinction. “It feels like being part of a long tradition of African Americans breaking barriers and trying to lift up our community and show what we are capable of – and that we are just as good and just as talented and knowledgeable as anyone else.”
Duo Noire will return to St. Louis for a performance on Saturday at The Ethical Society, thanks to the Saint Louis Classical Guitar Society as part of the organization’s Great Artist performance series.
St. Louis holds a special place in the history of Duo Noire – and Flippin and Mallett are thrilled to visit again as they embark on their tenth year of playing together as a group.
“I’ll never forget the first time we came out to St. Louis. It was a huge deal for us,” Flippin said. “It was like our first concert that our manager had booked for us with a major guitar society. We were just out of school and we came here and the community opened its arms up to us.”
This will mark their fourth trip here, and they relish in every opportunity to return.
“Four years ago we played in the Scott Joplin house, which was a huge honor for us,” Mallett said. “I’ve been a Scott Joplin fan my entire life. My parents had a Scott Joplin record that they used to play for me every night – so to be able to go into his house and play music there was an incredible honor for both of us.”
Another reason why they love coming to the city, the Saint Louis Classical Guitar Society makes provisions for them to tour public schools in the region – where they acclimate young audiences to their style of music.
“We come across a lot of African American students in these schools,” Mallett said. “And even now, there are a lot of them who aren’t aware that there are African American classical musicians, period – so I think that it’s really cool for us to be role models for them.”
An affinity for rock music compelled both Flippin and Mallett to pick up guitars as youngsters. They had fallen in love with classical guitar by college, and both completed undergraduate studies from Oberlin College’s Conservatory of Music (Mallett) and University of Chicago (Flippin) before heading to Yale to earn their historic Master’s degrees.
In 2009, Duo Noire was a recipient of the Yale Alumni Ventures grant, which allowed the pair to tour urban regions in New England and provide access to the arts for thousands of students through performances and lectures.
“I think when we leave each of these schools; the kids find a new appreciation for classical music, and music in general,” Mallett said.
They will facilitate a master class on Sunday at Washington University’s 560 Music Center.
Contemporary and classic
Flippin and Mallett are preparing to bring a bit of everything to the Ethical Society stage on Saturday. Tango, traditional classical compositions with folk and the blues sprinkled in among other things.
“We are coming to play some really fun music and have a good time,” Flippin said.
They shot off names that included contemporary composers Dr. Courtney Bryan and Clarice Assad, daughter of classical guitar legend Sergio Assad.
“There’s a lot of music out there, but we are trying to become pioneers of modern music,” Mallett said. “We’re trying to play music by living composers and be an ensemble that plays music that’s written for us.”
Also in their set list is work by early 20th century black Canadian composer R. Nathaniel Dett, an intentional move for Duo Noire.
“Being in the field is so rare – and kind of lonely being the only African Americans – you feel an awful lot of responsibility,” Flippin said. “We’re trying to wield that responsibility in a good way by lifting up some composers [who look like us] and shine light on them by playing music that is more diverse and get people thinking about what they are putting on stage.”
And they promise a transformative experience.
“You go to a lot of concerts and people just want to impress the audience by dazzling people with technique and playing fast, but we are about moving people,” Flippin said. “It’s important to us for people to come, have fun in this communal setting and reflect on their lives and the profound beauty of music for a brief moment, before going back into the world recharged.
And people who don’t even know they love classical guitar music are going to find out on Saturday!”
The Saint Louis Classical Guitar Society’s presentation of Duo Noire will take place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 28 at The Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Road, St. Louis, 63117. The Duo Noire Master Class will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29 at Washington University’s 560 Music Center. For more information, call (314) 229-8686 or visit www.guitarstlouis.net.
